Gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer

Abstract

Provided is a gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer including an anode, an ion exchange membrane, and a cathode chamber in which a gas diffusion electrode is disposed, wherein the ion exchange membrane and a cathode chamber inner space in which the gas diffusion electrode is disposed are separated by a liquid retaining member, the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is held in a void formed in a gasket or a cathode chamber frame constituting the cathode chamber, or the outer periphery and the end face of the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member are sealed, or the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is joined to and integrated with the gasket.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer comprising:
 an anode in an anode chamber wherein the anode chamber comprises an anolyte; 
 a cathode chamber having an inner space defined by a cathode chamber wall; 
 a gas diffusion electrode disposed at least in part in the cathode chamber; 
 an ion exchange membrane disposed at least in part between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber; 
 a liquid retaining member separating the ion exchange membrane from the inner space of the cathode chamber wherein the liquid retaining member fluidically separates the anolyte from the inner space of the cathode chamber; 
 a gasket disposed adjacent the cathode chamber wall and at least a portion of the liquid retaining member. 
 
     
     
       2. The gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid retaining member is a hydrophilic member that retains a liquid within the inner space thereof. 
     
     
       3. The gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer according to  claim 2  wherein
 the hydrophilic member is a carbon fiber fabric or a carbon fiber nonwoven fabric. 
 
     
     
       4. A manufacturing method of an alkali metal hydroxide aqueous solution comprising:
 providing the gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  3 ; 
 supplying alkali metal chloride solution to the electrolyzer; and 
 generating alkali metal hydroxide aqueous solution. 
 
     
     
       5. A manufacturing method of chlorine comprising:
 providing the gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  3 ; 
 supplying alkali metal chloride solution to the electrolyzer; and 
 generating chlorine.